. >> after president-elect andrew jackson's wife died in december of 1828, her niece, emily donaldson, assumed the role of first lady. >> emily was perfect. for all the negatives washington had to say about andrew jackson, they loved emily. and she sort of covered everything. she was the women all liked her. and as it happened, the women's opinions meant more than people thought in washington. but she -- emily became the -- his acting first lady. she entertained beautifully. she was polished. some people thought she's from the country. she knew exactly how do things. >> emily donaldson, one of the women who served as first lady in c-span's new series, "first ladies, influence and image. in a first of its kind project tore television, season one begin this is monday, presidents' day, at 9:00 p.m. eastern and pacific. c-span, c-span radio, and c-span.org. >> we have had a habit in this country if i may say this now of glossing over presidents. we decided, some people, they are bald eagles and they all have to be treated as if they are symbols of the country. what that means, though, is
